Alfred Mepukori
2019-2023 scholarship recipient
2024 scientific advisor
Fred is a long-time Creature Conserve Scholarship Recipient for his work with human-wildlife conflict in the Maasai Mara region of Kenya. His most recent project is supporting a women’s cooperative set up to teach beading and, in turn, generate funds for the local community. In his words,
Beading is a talent and a hobby of maasai women. In many occasions they meet to pursue their hobby in groups creating an opportunity to create awareness for them, to learn, recognize and make contributions towards the protection of wild animals.
Through the Loita Beadwork Project, Maasai women have experienced direct empowerment. Its is now a thriving social enterprise that has created a sustainable alternative livelihood to generate income for Maasai women and their families along side becoming wildlife guardians.
ALFRED OLE MEPUKORI is a conservationist and wildlife ecologist based in Loita, Narok County, Kenya where he grew up. He received his BSc in Wildlife Management from Maasai Mara University. In 2020, Fred founded Olmanyara LeMaa, a community-based organization dedicated to conserving the natural environment for today and future generations. As Project Leader for OLM, he works hand-in-hand with local communities in Samburu and the Loita landscape to inspire improved conservation practices that help save the lives of both people and wildlife.
Loita, Kenya. AFRICA
Instagram Handle: @mepukorifred
Links: Olmanyara LeMaa Community-Based Organization website, “My Life in the Naimina Enkikio Forest” by Fred Mepukori for Voices of Biodiversity